This is a fantastic step forward in my opinion, and one I am sure Elon Musk is keeping an eye on as well.
The human race needs to expand off the Earth, and yes, we will need to do so and not be the space bound locusts we could be if continued as we do today on Earth.
We need to reduce the reliance and threat to the world through our excessive use of resources, and whilst the initial journeys might be high cost both financially and with some resources, the aim has to be to recycle some of that funding back to sending key resources back. To start an interplanetary marketing operation if you like.
This is just the first step, but I hope that it presages a swift follow up to the next stages of us getting to Mars, and beyond.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43907326